On the morning of Wednesday 9th December some 40 Persian students from various universi Lies in Austria occupied their embassy here in" Wien. The action was in protest against the recent kidnapping in Teheran of a Persian student, Rezai, who had travelled to fran as an interpreter for Amnesty International in the company of a German lawyer, Dr. Heldmann. They were to investigate prison conditions and supposedly had the protection of alternational law.
Whilst studying in Germany and Austria Rezai had been active with the "Confederation Transcher Srudenten" and had agitated against the regime of the Shah. He was kidnapped by the SAVAC (the Persian Secret Police). He is The Rod Mole 1.15 Jan. 1971 Pam 8 tortured in prison and along with 13 others may weil be executed.
The occupation of the embassy lasted two hours. The students barricaded chemiselves an and when the police arrived they arrested all 40 with great brutality, As they left the building each prisoner was photographed by a member Of SAVAC.
The SAVAC has heen active for some time in Wien. For instance, two years ago during the annual visit of the Shah there were massive demonstrations. The SAVAC attempted to kidnap three Persian students outside the university. They were thwarted only after bitter street fighting. One SAVAC and one student were arrested, The public scandal lasted 9 days.
The 40 demonstrators are sill held by the police. Their fate is as yet uncertain. No guarantee has hean given against extradition... tortire...death.
In the afternoon 40 other Persian students began a hunger strike to draw attention to the plight of their comrades, As part of the agitation in their support we are organising tortocrow (December 11th) a demonstration against the İranian Embassy and the Police Headquarters The whole Austrian left is being mobilised.
We are writing primarily as a plea for solidar ily. We ask you, as soon as possible, to organise demonstrations aguinst the Austrian and Iranian Embassies; to publish articles about Persian fascism and its activities in Europe; and generally to use all the meansavailable to pressurise the Austrian Government about its collaboration with the Persian Gestupo The prisoners must be freed You can send telegrams of prutest to:
Der Osterreichishe Bundeskanzler Bruno Kreisky, Bundes Kanzleramt, 1010 Wien, Ballhansplatz 2, and telegrams of solidarity to:
Dio Iranische Sridenten, c/o VSSTO, 1010 Wien, Wardertognise 614.
Rot Front!
SPARTAKUS -Vienna, cjo Jakob Mytteis, Theobaldgasse 15/5, A- 1060 Vienna Telephone: 0222/57.59.342